March 5, 2009

• The film adaptation of the "un-filmable" graphic novel; Watchmen, is actually in movie theaters this weekend. It took a really long time for this to happen, especially since the source material was released in 1986. The big question now is whether a source material like Watchmen is capable of being a huge success as a movie, just like the book was. Honestly, I don't think anybody knows.

  In terms of general marketing, it looks like they are making it look appealing to the fantasy/sci-fi fans and those who were fans of superhero movies like "the Dark Knight," "Iron Man," "Spider-man," and "X-Men." Wait, that's just about everybody isn't it? But here lies the problem, compared to those other superheroes, Watchmen is actually a bit different. The easy answer is that it's a lot "more adult" than the others. "The Dark Knight" right now is the closest thing to a big budgeted super hero movie that can kinda be considered "more adult," but not when compared to the ambitious nature of Watchmen.  Considering that there are actually those out there who did not even appreciate the more serious take of a Batman film, it makes me question how those people are going to handle Watchmen?

  Are people prepared to watch a big budgeted superhero movie, when most don't even know who these heroes are? Are they open to the idea that this superhero flick has A LOT more scenes of people talking than flashy action sequences? Are people going to accept heroes who honestly don't really act like those noble and inspiring heroes that you are used to seeing? Are parents going to be happy of it being a comic book movie that's rated R and almost 3 hours long? With those in mind, the mainstream audience accepting Watchmen is definitely questionable.

  The only real guarantee right now are that the people familiar with the book will definitely be in theaters to see Watchmen. Of course the majority of them are very skeptical as to whether they'd like it in the first place, as a lot of them consider the book to be something sacred, with any alterations to it absolutely blashpemous. So I wouldn't be surprise if several of these die hard fans already have the mindset to be disappointed, before even going in the movie theater. My advice to them is to judge the movie as a movie first before comparing it to the book. Just try it, because I know that I have to do the same. If not, just watch "Watchmen : The Complete Motion Comic" DVD then.

  There is a question that most Watchmen fans are familiar with; "who watches the watchmen?" That was a thematic query for the book ("who polices the superheroes?"), but I guess now with the film, that question feels a lot more directed towards the movie goers out there. So are YOU going to watch the Watchmen?

  

  • 7:28 am
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